New 'Idol' judges celebrate

The Fox network officially tapped Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban to the American Idol judges' panel with an announcement, just hours before the first round of judging for next season was due to begin in New York.(Photo: AP)

The American Idol judges are ready and set to go.

The official announcement today about the Fox singing competition judges' panel confirms additions that had been the subject of much media speculation for some time: Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban are joining the show.

Randy Jackson, whose role had been in question a while ago, is returning as a judge alongside Mariah Carey, whose role was announced earlier this summer.

Host Ryan Seacrest shared on Twitter this morning that the gang gathered Saturday night to celebrate. "Everyone gave a heartfelt toast about being on the show after we ate last night. Cant wait to see the first contestants today," he tweeted.

Carey made a reference to the dinner after her new colleagues were revealed this morning. She tweeted: "A festive dinner with friends... Here we go!"

Urban also went to Twitter to share the news. "SO excited to be joining the team," he wrote.

Minaj tweeted about getting down to business: "New York auditions today & tomorrow!"